Eight things to know about new Colts QB Kerry Collins

Loading Photo Galleries ...

1. Plans to settle down in Nashville, Tenn., with wife, Brooke, and daughter, Riley, when NFL career is over.

2. An avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and hunting for deer, wild turkey and wild boar.

3. Got life and career on track after early battles with alcoholism. As a rookie with the Carolina Panthers, reportedly was at a party, got drunk and used a racial slur as a joke. Similar incident reportedly occurred before the 1997 season. After joining the New Orleans Saints during 1998 season, was arrested for drunken driving in Charlotte, N.C.

4. Signed one-year contract with the Colts on Wednesday to back up Peyton Manning, but it might not be one-and-done. "Where it goes from here, who knows?" Collins said. "I certainly wouldn't rule anything out."

5. Displayed ability to play hurt in 1997 after suffering a broken jaw on a hit by Denver linebacker Bill Romanowski during the preseason. Missed only the first two games of the regular season. "He's among the most courageous people I've ever been around in the game," Colts vice chairman Bill Polian said. "The shot he took from Romanowski would have ended the careers of most people. He came back and played in about four weeks. (Broken jaw) in 12 places, I think. He took a lot of heat for playing badly and he shouldn't have even been out there. He never said a word."

6. Will be on the sideline but won't play tonight when the Colts face Green Bay at Lucas Oil Stadium. He intends to play Thursday when the Colts close the preseason at Cincinnati. "That would be beneficial to me. It's one thing to do it in the classroom and the practice field, but I really need to get out there in a game and do it," he said. "That would definitely be a good thing for me. Who knows when it would be after that I would play in a game if Peyton's back and healthy?"

7. He'll be wearing No. 5 tonight and the former No. 5, rookie kicker Travis Baltz, will wear No. 2. Doubt Collins had to pay for the jersey switch.

8. Nearly signed with the Colts before 2006 before choosing the Tennessee Titans. "(It was) pretty close," Collins said. "I knew it definitely would be a backup role (with the Colts). At Tennessee, I knew I had a pretty good chance to play. Ultimately that's what made me go to Tennessee."

Collins' resume

Carolina Panthers

» First draft pick in Panthers' history, fifth overall in 1995.

» In second season, was 9-3 as a starter and led Panthers to NFC Championship Game, where they lost at Green Bay.

» Waived in October 1998 after informing coach Dom Capers he would understand if he were benched.Collins' resume

New Orleans Saints

» Claimed off waivers Oct. 14, 1998. Not re-signed at end of season.

» Started final seven games, completing 94-of-191 passes for 1,202 yards with four touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Was 2-5 as starter.

New York Giants

» Signed as an unrestricted free agent Feb. 19, 1999. Released April 28, 2004.

» Compiled 35-33 record as a starter, including 12-4 in 2000 when he led Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, where they lost to Baltimore 34-7. Also led Giants to playoffs in 2002.

» Had his only career perfect game (158.3 rating) Dec. 22, 2002, against Colts when he led Giants to 44-27 victory by completing 23-of-29 passes for 366 yards and four TDs.

Oakland Raiders

» Signed as a free agent May 24, 2004.

» Won seven of 28 starts for a team that was 5-11 in '04 and 4-12 in '05.

» Had consecutive seasons with at least 20 TD passes for only time in career -- 21 in '04, 22 in '05.

Tennessee Titans

» Signed as an unrestricted free agent Aug. 26, 2006. Not re-signed after 2010 season and announced retirement in July.

» Served as Vince Young's backup in 2006-07. Replaced Young in Game 2 of '08 and led Titans to NFL-best 13-3 record. (He went 11-3 as a starter.) Selected to second Pro Bowl after passing for 2,676 yards in '08.

» Efficiency greatly fell off in final two seasons as Titans struggled. Won just two of final 13 regular-season starts. During that stretch, compiled 72.5 passer rating by completing 232-of-419 passes for 2,583 yards with 17 TDs and 15 INTs.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Eight things to know about new Colts QB Kerry Collins

1. Plans to settle down in Nashville, Tenn., with wife, Brooke, and daughter, Riley, when NFL career is over. 2. An avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and hunting for deer, wild turkey and wild